Today we’d like to introduce you to Fred And Stacey Clayton.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Clayton Concepts, LLC is actually Fred’s dream. Early in our marriage, he shared his dream, with me, to purchase homes, fix them up and resell them. He mentioned possibly living in some of them too…that didn’t happen lol! I didn’t quite understand any of what he was talking about, so I basically did whatever he needed and tried to pay attention.
Fred worked for a mortgage company for a few years during the early part of our marriage. While there, he gained a lot of his inspiration and understanding of the Real Estate industry.
He purchased our first property, after selling the home we lived in, in University City, MO. The ball was rolling. Things were going pretty well, momentum was building! Fred also started a mortgage business called Multi Financial. He was doing what he dreamed and I was right there, learning, while we raised our daughter.
Life happened, so we took a break for about 11 years, until we were able to start again…this time with a different perspective and knowledge. The Real Estate industry has changed, but so have we. Our passion is more intense with a greater level of faith. Fred is a very intelligent businessman with a vision to grow this business into our family’s legacy.
I was a Cosmetologist , with my own salon, until I decided to go back to school in 2002, to obtain my degree, in Interior Design. Once I completed my academics, it seemed normal to pursue a career in the design field. That didn’t quite pan out. After a few design “type” jobs, I found it necessary to go back to working to bring in steady income, which I did for several years. I wondered why would I have this chance to gain this knowledge, but not be able to work in my field?
Then when, a few years ago, the doors opened and there was an opportunity presented to us to meet an investor, looking to get into the business. We were a perfect fit. I have used all of the knowledge I garnered for design, in each property Clayton Concepts, LLC, has flipped! It’s just funny how God does things.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest obstacles we endured, before Clayton Concepts came to be, was back when the mortgage industry crashed. Fred started Multi Financial. It was a mortgage loan business…our main source of income. It was doing very well. He bought and sold a few properties, during that time, then in 2007, when the industry crashed, he had to close the business.
We both had to reinvent ourselves in order to ride out that wave. It was a hard road, but we are back! By the grace of God, we are back and Clayton Concepts, LLC is growing.
There are still some challenges, but we don’t let that stop us. Our motto is, “We don’t have problems, we have solutions!” The other thing Fred always says is, “We will have what we need when we need it!” We stand on this!
As you know, we’re big fans of Clayton Concepts, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Clayton Concepts, LLC is primarily a property flipping and renovation business. We invest, renovate and sell properties, in the Missouri area. In addition to renovating our own projects, we assist others with their projects and provide advice to fellow real estate investors on their own projects. Our business is evolving. As it evolves, we find more ways to give back, like helping seniors with home repairs and updates, when we are able.
Clayton Concepts, LLC has been blessed to move at its own pace, to gauge what works for us and what doesn’t. We stay in our lane, grow our connections and partner base and that makes sense for us.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Outside of flipping homes, Clayton Concepts, LLC, collaborates with Real Estate agents to assist them and their sellers with preparing homes to go on the market. We work with other contractors on our projects, as well as their own, to provide a cohesive, smooth process for the client’s projects. Additionally, we support local entrepreneurs, by providing our time and expertise to aide them with community efforts or by using their products and services, when we can.
